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Summary of document:
LAND CLAIMS
Good politics, bad politics
By Doug Donaldson
The repercussions of the NDP’s fundamental policy shift will be felt throughout the province. It is unlikely Canada will want to continue treaty talks with any First Nation while the direct question of inherent rights is before the Supreme Court of Canada in the form of the Delgam Uukw case. On the provincial side, how candid can provincial negotiators be in discussions on aboriginal rights at the treaty table when B.C. may be pursuing the same question in the Supreme Court?
…”The NDP had a policy of negotiation over litigation,” said Mas Gak. “They’ve now pulled the plug on that policy. It doesn’t make any sense politically for the interests of the public in B.C. to have their government walk away from the table.”
The Gitxsan were set to table an offer to Canada and B.C. this month. It is an alternative to the land selection model used in the Nisga’a agreement-in-principle. Instead of a transfer of land, it involves 100 per cent of the Gitxsan’s traditional territory. No land transfer means Canada would not have to pay B.C. cash for the alienation of land and resources. The savings for the Canadian taxpayer could be immense but the provincial government must be at the table in order to be part of the offer.
If they show up they’ll see that good First Nation politics can make good B.C. politics after all.
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